Expression of antigen interaction structures on resting and activated cytotoxic lymphocytes

The expression of T-cell receptor protein and Lyt-2 was examined on resting and activated antigen-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes. Receptor expression was largely independent of the activation state of the cells. In contrast Lyt-2 expression was approximately threefold higher on activated than on resting cells. Since lytic activity varied by as much as 100-fold, it appears that lytic activity is primarily regulated by processes independent of quantitative changes in antigen interaction structures.